Thermocouple lead connecter



Jan. 27, 1942. H, A, ANTZ 2,271,507

THERMOCOUPLE LEAD CONNECTOR Original Filed Jan. 8, 1937 ATTORNEYS.

6(5 '3 66 99 3 29 65 696 J6 0 70 2a 96 5 69 I 72 ll \(M [/9 //2 A23INVENTOR.

Harold e9. Mani/"z BY Patented as 21, 1942 WHEN T OFFICE.

:TrmaMocoUrLs man comma Harold A. Mantl, Milwaukee, Wis, assiguor toMilwaukee Gas-Specialty Company, Milwaukee, Wis., a co poration ofWisconsin Original application January 8, 1931, Serial No.

1939, Serial. No. 286,092

.1 Claim. (cuss-117.1)

This invention relates to thermoelectric safety devices for heating. andother apparatus, and has particular relation to an improved thermocouplelead connecter. a 1

The present application is a division of my co:- pending application,Serial No. 119,557, filed January 8, 1937.

One of the main objects of the present invention is to provide animproved thermocouple lead connecter which is. adapted to provide aquick detachable connection between the lead conduc tors of thethermocouple and the thermoelectric safety device.

The chief advantage of the improved quick detachable thermocouple leadconnecter of the present invention is its ability to permit thethermocouple and lead conductors to be quickly and conveniently detachedfrom and attached -to the thermoelectric safety device. The quickdetachable connection thus afforded permits thethermocouple and leadconductors to be'detached and shipped disconnected or separately fromthe thermoelectric safety device, and it permits replacement of thethermocouple and lead conductors without returning the entirethermoelectric safety device to the manufacturer. Moreover,thermocouples with lead conductors of different lengths may be readilyinterchanged, and where, for instance, a thermoelectric safety device isshipped to a user with a thermocouple having lead conductors which arenot of the proper length,- the thermocouple and its lead conductors maybe returned in exchange for a thermocouple having lead conductors of theproper length without returning the entire thermoelectric safety device.

It is also an object of the invention to provide rv a quick detachablethermocouple lead 'connecter of relatively simple and inexpensiveconstruction, and which is composed of few parts adapted for convenientassembly; also, an improvedthermocouple lead connecter adapted to bequickly and conveniently detached from and attached to thethermoelectric safety device and adapted, when attached, to provide 'agood thermoelectric connection between the thermocouple lead 'con-'ductors and the connected device.

Further objects and advantages of the invention'will appear from thefollowing detailed descr ption taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawing, in which? Figure 1 is a diagrammatic'view showing, applied toheating apparatus, a thermoelectric safety device having a thermocouplelead connecter embodying the present invention;

Divided and this application July 24,

, Figure 2 is a sectional view through thethermoelectricsafety deviceillustrated in Figure 1 and showing, in section the thermoelectric leadconnecterfor the'safety device illustrated in Figure 1; and

' Figure 3 shows Referring now in detail to the drawing, in Figure 1 Ihave shown the main fuel supply pipe 5 v The burner I0 is preferablyignited by means ofa lighter tube l2 which extends'into the-torch headIt receiving the pilot tip indicated generally at H.

. shown as applied to'a gas range in which a number of burners I may bemounted s'ymmetrlcalburner ll maybe disposed directly in juxtapositionto the main burner ll, as, for instance, where only a single burner isemployed, such as in hot water heaters, space or room heaters, or inother types of heating apparatus, v

The thermoelectric safety device 6 may be 05 any suitable or preferredform. -The particular device shown in the drawing, which, so far as thepresent invention is concerned, is for purposes of illustration only,comprises the main valve body I! provided with an inlet chamber II andan outlet chamber l|.- Injermediate these chambers is a partition l8forming the valve seat ls'which surrounds the opening through whichcommunication is effected between the inlet and outlet chambers.

Mounted in any suitable manner upon the upper portion ofthe valve bodyl5 as the same is viewed in Figure 2-is a hood or housing which may bebolted to the valve body as indicated by the cap 'screws 22, or maybesecured 7 another form of thermocouplelead connecter embodying thepresent invention.

In Figure 1, the device has been valve body I5 is gasket means 24 whichseals the surfaces that are clamped together, and is provided with anaxially extending flange portion 24' at its inner periphery.

Mounted in the passage formed between the valve body I5 and the hood 28isa magnet frame 25 having the electromagnet coil 28 wound between theannular legs thereof. The coil 28 has one terminal grounded to themetallic hood or housing 28, as indicated at 21, through a flexibleconductor 28, and its opposite terminal is connected through a flexibleconductor 28 to a terminal stud 38 which is insulated from the hood 28by an insulating bushing 32.

The magnet frame 25 is provided with a central axially extending recess33 which is adapted to receive a coiled spring 34 biased at one endagainst the inner end of the recess 33 and, at its opposite end, bearingagainst the turned over edge 35 of the projecting stem 38 of valvemember 31. The valve member 31 is provided with a leather or othersuitable yielding valve seating member 38 adapted to have engagementwith the valve seat ID. The yielding seating material 38 is held inposition by a retaining washer or disc 38 which, in turn, is secured tothe valve disc 31 by a threaded plug 48 extending into the open end ofthe recess 42 formed inthe valve disc.

A suitable valve stem 43 has a valve stem head a 41 disposed in therecess 42 of the member 31 and normally pressed into seating engagementwith the valve seat 44 by means of a spring 45 which encircles the valvestem and is biased at its lower end against the packing carried in arecess at the upper'end of the valve disc.

The valve disc member 31 is provided with a laterally extending port 48which extends into and communicates with the passageway 42 outwardly ofthe valve stem head 41. The valve member 31 is also provided with asecond axially oil'set laterally extending passageway 48 which, adjacentits outer end, communicates through the passageway 48 directed axiallyof the valve member and through the seating member 38 to the inner faceof the valve member.

The valve seat I8 is provided with a passageway 58 adapted to be alignedwith the passageway 43 and extending outwardly through the valve body,as indicated at 52, to the gasket 24. The gasket 24 is apertured at 53to provide communication between the passageway 52 and a correspondingpassageway 54 extending through one side wall of the housing or hood 28and through the insulating bushing 32 into the interior ofthe terminalmember 38. which terminal member is provided with an axially outwardlydirected recess 58 which opens outwardly through the threaded bossportion 51 extending laterally from the side of the housing 28.

The valve member 31 forms, together with the cup-shaped member 88 andthe annular plate member 82, an armature-like valve member which ismovable toward and away from the lower end of the magnet frame 25,having sliding movement guided by the axially extending flange portion24' of the gasket 24. Thus, when the coil 28 is deenergized, or at leastnot energized sufficiently to hold the armature to the electromagnet,the spring 34 urges the armature,

consisting of the members 88, 82, and 31, in-

' position within the safety device bymeans of a spindle member or resetstem which has the head portion 88, for instance in the form of a screw,for securing the magnet frame to the stem 85. The stem 85 extendsoutwardly and carries at its outer end the reset button 81 which isthreaded to the end of the stem and is recessed to receive one end ofthe spring 88. The opposite end of the spring 88 bears against packing83 carried within the recessed portion 18 formed, for instance, in thewall 12 which is shown integral with the hood 28 and extends inwardlyfrom the outer end thereof. The spring 88 normally urges the button 81outwardly of the housing 28, and thereby urges the spindle 85 outwardly,holding the magnet frame 25 against the lower end of the wall 12 of thehousing which defines the recess 18.

The particular pilot burner shown in the drawing'and which is merelyillustrative of a suitable pilot burner, comprises anouter tubularmember 88 which is provided with relatively large open ports 82 throughwhich pilot flames 83 are adapted to project as indicateddiagrammatically in Figure 2, and which is joined to an inner tubularmember 84, there being a welded or other suitable junction between thesetwo members, as indicated at 85, forming a thermocouple junction whichis disposed in the path of the pilot flame 83. The inner tubular member84 is provided with a plurality of ports 88 of reduced area as comparedwith the ports 82, and is connected at its open end through the bushing81 with a hollow metallic conduit or inner tubular lead conductor whichextends to the pilot burner and thermocouple lead connection indicatedgenerally at 88, whereby the burner and thermocouple are connected tothe safety device 8.

The inner tubular thermocouple lead conductor 88 is enclosed within anouter tubular thermocouple lead conductor 85, the outer end of which isenlarged or provided with spider-like member at 92 which telescopes overthe inner end of the outer thermocouple member 88 and is suitably joinedthereto. The enlarged end or member 82 of the outer lead conductor isprovided with openings 83 for admitting air into the space between themembers 88 and 84, this air merging with the gas issuing from the ports88 toproduce the gaseous mixture which, when ignited, forms the pilotflames 83. Suitable insulation 84 is provided between the inner andouter lead conductors 88 and 95.

It will thus be seen that a thermocouple junction is provided at 85,this junction being subject to the heat of the pilot flame, and that oneterminal of the junction 85 is connected through the outer thermocouplemember 88 and the tubular lead conductor 95 to the thimble or couplelead attaching nut 38 which is threaded over the threaded extension 51of the housing or hood 28 and thereby completes a circuit connection tothe grounded terminal 21 from one side of the coil 28. The other side ofthe thermocouple circuit extends from the inner tubular thermocouplemember 84 and the inner tubular lead conductor 88 within the insulatingsleeve 84 to the recess 58 formed in the terminal bushing 38. This makesmetallic contact through the bushing 38 with the conductor 28 leadingfrom the other side of the electromagnet coil 28.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, an insulating disc 88 isdisposed about the projecting end if the inner tubular lead eonductor 88within the thimble or attaching nut 88, and a wedge-shaped member orconnecter cone the projecting end.of the lead ll whereby, upon threadingof the nut 96 upon the extension 51,.

the wedge member'or cone 99 is wedged together with the projecting endof the lead" into the recess :58 of the thimble 30, and consequentlyforms apositive and gas-tight electrical connection therewith which isinsulated from the metal lead 95 and from the supporting sleeve Illdisposed within the nut 96. If desired, the metal lead 95 maybe providedwith a riding wipe or compression sleeve lllwith which the nut 96engages at, its reduced end in order to move the entire structure asaunit inwardly with respect tothe bushing 3| when the nut $6 istightenedover the extension on the housing.

95, preferablyof ductile metal is disposed over I inwardly intoengagement with the valveseat It. This results in relative slidingmovement of the cupshaped member 60 with respect to the gasket portion'24 while the magnet frame and coil. remain in fixed position due to theeifect of the spring 8. The valve is therefore closed, closing of!communication between the inlet chamber 16 and the outlet chamber I1,and, also closing This latoff the fuel supply to the pilot burner. terfuel supply is closed off due to'the fact that the spring ll retains thevalve stem]! in posi- -tion with-the head 41 thereof pressed against thevalve seat 44' so that no fuel may flow from the This provides a quickdetachableconnection not requiring the unloosening of any terminalscrews, terminal lugs or the like, since, by merely unthreading thenut-r thimble u, the thermo-' couple and its leadconductors .may bereadily disconnected from the thermoelectric safety device. The outerend of the recess! is preferably of conical form to conform with theconical shape of the connecter cone 99 which is clamped tightly theretoby the nut 95 to provide good electric contact. The quick detachablethermocouple lead connection thus provided permits the thermocouple andlead connecters to be detached and shipped disconnected orseparatelyfrom the thermoelectric safety device, and it permits replacement of thethermocouple and lead conducinlet chamber it through the passagewaysand48 to the passageway Bl.

When it is desired either to ignite the main burner or to reignitethepilot burner, the re-j setting button 61 is pushed manually inwardly.

This 'resultsin moving the spindle I inwardly and, as a result, themagnet frame is moved tors without returning the entire thermoelectricsafety device to the manufacturer as well as the other advantageshereinbefor'e set forth.

' While the thermocouple lead shown in the drawing is adapted to supplyfuel from the thermoelectric safety device to thepilot burner which isformed as a part of the thermocouple. this may vary widely within thebroader aspects of the present invention. For example, the pilot burnermay be formed'separately of the thermocouple, with the thermocouplesupported inthe inwardly, sliding inwardly within the upper end of thecup-shaped member ill due'to the fact that the shoulder I of the stem l5engages the top of the magnet frame and forces it inwardlyagainst thepressure of the spring ll. The head end of the stem 65 engages the outerend of the valve stem 4-3, forcing the valve stem 43 away from its seatIt and thereby opening communi- -hollow inner lead conductor 88 to theinterior desired relation with respect thereto, and the pilot supply offuel may be supplied to the pilot burner through a separate pilot supplytube. In the latter case, the inner thermocouple lead conductor 88 maybe of solid instead of tubular form; For example, the thermocouple andlead connection-therefor may be of the general characterdisclosed andclaimed in Oscar J. Leins Patent other suitable or preferred form. r e

In the operation of the device as thus far described, the device isshown in Figure 2 as being No. 2,126,564,-granted August}, 1938,'or ofany in valve open position with the pilot flame ignited and theelectromagnet coil 28 thereby energized to hold the armature, includingthe valve memher 31, to the magnet frame against the resistance of thespring at. This is due to thefact that the heat of the pilot flameacting onlthe thermal 5 junction '5 creates a thermoelectric currentflow through the thermocouple lead conductors and thereby athermoelectric current flow through the coil 28 sumcient to magnetizethe magnet frame 25 and create an'attractive force on the valve memberI! which will hold the valve mem ber against the magnet frame. I

Consider now that the pilot flame-is accidentally extinguishedfThethermocouple junction coolsrapidly and thereby deenergizes the coil l;

or at least the electromagnet ceasesto be ener gized sufliciently tohold the armature including the valve member 31, in attracted position.The

of the tubular thermocouple member I, from whichit escapes through ports86 and mixes with air introduced into the interior of the tubularthermocouple member II and canbe ignited as it issues with the air fromthe ports 81' The resulting pilot flames heat the thermocouple,

thereby creating a thermoelectric current which.-

in turn, energizes the coil 2 and causes the armature formed by themembers 80, 82, and." of the valve construction to be held positively inattracted position against'the inner end of the magnet frame 25 bymagnetic attraction.

As aresult, when the reset button 81 is released, the spring 68 moves'the'button U and stem ll outwardly which, in turn, through the head end66 of the spindle It moves the magnet frame li'outwardly and,consequently, with the valve member held in attracted position to themagnet frame, this valve member is-moved out- 1 a 1 wardly with themagnet 'frame. This opens the valve and the fuel may then flow from theinlet chamber it through the valve opening surrounded by the seat I!into the outlet chamber l1, and thence to the main burner orlburners.

At the'same time sufllcient'fuel is still supplied through tha port 50'in the valve seat to maintain the pilot burner l4 ignited, consequentlyretaining the valve -member in attracted position against the inner endof the magnet frame I.

Upon any accidental extinguishment of the pilot burner, theelectromagnetis immediately deenergized and the spring 34 consequentlyforces the valve member inwardly into engagement'withvalve'seat, therebyshutting oi! the flow of the spring 34 thereupon snaps the valve member'31 r fuel to the main burner and, in the illustrated embodiment of theinvention, also shutting off the flow of fuel to the pilot burner.

In Figure 3 I have shown a modified structure I in which the coil 26 ofthe electromagnet is connected to the two thermocouple lead conductorsand is not grounded to the housing of the safety device. In thisembodiment of the invention the outer housing or hood of the safetydevice is indicated at I III and is connected to the val e body housingH2 through the threaded sleeves H3. A suitable bushing I I4 is securedin the side wall of the housing IIII and is adapted to receive on itsinner end the terminal H5 01. a conductor H6 leading to one side of theelectromagnet coil 26. The other side of the coil 26 is connectedthrough conductor H1 and terminal H8 to a terminal bushing H9 which isinsulated within the bushing H4 by the insulating sleeve I20. Thethermocouple connection leading from the pilot burner consists of theouter lead conductor 95, the thimble or attaching nut 95 which threadsover the bushing H4 to effect electrical connection from the lead 95through the nut 96, and bushing III with conductor H6, and the innerlead conductor I22 which extends into the terminal bushing I I9 and iswedged therein in substantially the same manner as described inconnection with Figure 2. At the same time gas for the pilot burner issupplied through ports I23 and I24 in the housings H2 and H0,respectively, to the interior of the terminal bushing H9 and thencethrough the hollow lead conductor I22 to the pilot burner. Suitableinsulating means I25 is provided between the outer metallic lead 95 andthe inner metallic lead I22. The details of the manner in which thethermocouple and burner connections can be quickly connected to anddisconnected from the thermoelectric safety device is believed apparentfrom the drawing when considered in conjunction with the description ofthis particular manner of assembly as set forth in connection withFigure 2.

The features of the thermocouple and pilot burner and the manner inwhich the fuel is supplied through the thermoelectric safety valve tothe pilot burner are covered in my copending application hereinbeforeidentified, and the magnetic valve is covered in my copendingapplication Serial No. 182,669, filed December 31, 1937. The presentapplication is directed to the improved thermocouple lead connector.

I do not intend to be limited to the precise details shown or described.

I claim:

In combination, a thermoelectric safety device having an electromagnetand a housing provided with a fuel supply passageway, a terminal studextending from said housing and connected in circuit with one side ofsaid electromagnet, a tubular terminal member connected in circuit withthe other side of said electromagnet and disposed within and insulatedfrom said terminal stud, a combined pilot burner and thermocouplecomprising a pair of thermocouple members joined to form a thermaljunction adapted to be heated by the pilot burner, an outer tubular leadconductor joined to one of said thermocouple members, an inner tubularlead conductor extending through said outer tubular lead conductor, saidinner lead conductor being insulated from said outer tubular leadconductor and joined to the other thermocouple member and adapted forsupplying fuel to the pilot burner, and a metallic attaching nut on saidouter tubular lead conductor and adapted for quick detachable engagementwith said terminal stud to secure the inner end of said inner leadconductor in good quick detachable contact with the terminal memberdisposed within said terminal stud, also in fuel tight connection withthe fuel supply passageway in said housing and serving to connect theouter lead conductor in circuit with the electromagnet.

HAROLD A. MANTZ.

